Reports emerging from Former President Donald Trump’s assassination attempt showed that an officer tried to stop the shooter but was forced back after the attacker aimed his weapon at him. 

According to the Associated Press, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks —who authorities identified as the shooter— pointed his weapon at a police officer who was climbing a ladder to confront him moments before he shot Trump. 

The 20-year-old fired several toward the former president moments after the officer backed down. 

Several experts who spoke on the issue have noted that the assassination attempt on the former president was a failure on the part of the Secret Service. 

Former Secret Service agent and Conservative podcaster Dan Bongino told Fox News that Trump saved his own life by making a crucial move. While Bongino lauded the response of the Secret Service agents assigned to Trump, he faulted the agency for the incident.

“The failure here is absolutely catastrophic, And I got to tell you the Secret Service should be very careful,” Bongino said. “I can tell you and I can absolutely confirm from the horse’s mouth and from multiple people that there have been repeated requests to increase the security footprint around not just the residences of Donald Trump but the body itself. And they have been rebuffed. The Secret Service director completely failed and candidly should resign today.”

Bongino suggested that Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle was more concerned about the dress code of the agents around Trump. The former Secret Service agent noted that the agency’s one job was to protect the president but failed at it on Saturday.

“You have one job and only one job,” Bogino added. “Your job is ‘keep the body alive no matter what’. They absolutely, resolutely, one hundred percent  failed. Not a single excuse should be made. Not a single excuse should be attempted.”

Bongino added that the Secret Service’s failure on Saturday should be the subject of congressional investigation. He also noted that the fact that Trump survived is no reason for the agency to take a victory lap. 

David Dunn, a professor of international politics from the University of Birmingham, echoed Bongino’s sentiments. Dunn wondered why the agency did not deploy agents to the rooftops of nearby buildings. 

Former Secret Service agent Charles Marino insisted that the Secret Service have questions to answer. He noted that agents must have surveyed the surroundings and noted concerning areas before the rally began.